Collapsible lamps



May 14, 1957 P. RAND COLLAPSIBLE vLAMPS lFiled Feb. 24, 1955 INVENToR..Pm/z. Pfr/vo www di 9770/2 /vfys ers'- nited States Fatent CGLLAPSIBLELAMPS Paul Rand, Westport, Application February 24, 1955, Serial No.496,207

3 Claims. (Cl. 24d- 4) This invention relates to lamps and moreparticularly to free standing lamps which are collapsible for purposesof shipping and storage and in which the shade assembly is fullyintegrated in the supporting frame.

Packaging, shipping, and storing contribute heavily to the cost oflamps, particularly free standing floor lamps. Also costly and in manycases troublesome to the consumer are the lamp shades, which areessential to the control of the light source as well as to theappearance of the lamp. Conventional shade designs are inherentlyexpensive, are often dithcult to work into the decorating scheme of aroom, and are relatively perishable.

One object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a noveldesign for a free standing lamp which enables the framework of the lampto be flattened for purposes of storage and shipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a standing lampconstruction in which the shade assembly is fully integrated in basicframework of the lamp.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a standing lamp, theshade of which can be readily removed or replaced by the consumer withanother shade which the consumer can himself make with minimum dilicultyand which can, therefore, be easily harmonized with any interiordecorating scheme.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a standinglamp framework comprising a plurality of uprighfts bridged by crossbraces radiating outwardly from a central axis about which the uprightsmay be swung from their normal supporting attitude toward a common planeto present a ilattened unit for storage or shipment. The upper ends ofthe uprights can be formed with suitable means such for example aslongitudinal slots into which a shade in the form of an endless band offabric or other flexible sheet material can be fitted, with the spacingof the uprights drawing the sheet material into a taut polygoncircumscribing the central axis of the lamp. An upper set of crossbraces can carry along the axis of the lamp, a socket for receiving abulb and on a lower set at a convenient height from the oor there can bemounted a removable shelf. if desired, the shelf can be notched at itscorners to receive and thereby hold the uprights in their open position.

If desired, the lengths of the uprights can be arranged at table heightso that a glass or other sheet-like top can be supported thereby to form-a combination table and light source for more or less indirectlyilluminating a room and creating a decorative effect.

Representative embodiments of the invention from which the above andother features and objects thereof will be readily apparent aredescribed in detail below having reference to the accompanying drawingsin which:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a standing, oortype lamp formedin accordance with the present invention:

Figure 2 is atop view of the lamp of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View of a portion of the lamp ice of Figures 1and 2 taken on the lines 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of thearrows;

Figure 4 is a top view of the lamp corresponding to Figure 2 but showingthe lamp in its collapsed or folded position; and

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation showing a modification of the lampstructure of Figure l in which a combination table and lamp is provided.

Referring to Figures l and 2, the invention is illustrated as embodiedin a lamp 10 which is in the nature of a free standing floor lampcomprised of four uprights or legs 11, 12, 13 and 14. The basic frame iscompleted by several sets of axially spaced cross braces joined to thelegs. The cross braces can take the form of a first and upper set ofarticulated diagonal braces 15 and 16 pivotally connected at theircrossover point, which is on the vertical central axis of the lamp, by apin or dowel 17, the brace 15 being joined to the diagonally opposedlegs 11 and 13, as by end nailing, doweling or the like, and the brace16 similarly joined to the legs 12 and 14, all as best seen in Figure 2.A second set of diagonal braces 18 and 19, pivotally connected at theircrossover point by a pin 20, join diagonally opposed legs 11, 13 and 12,14, respectively, intermediate their ends, and a third set 21 and 22,pivotally connected at their crossover point by a pin 23, join the legssimilarly near the ioor.

The legs 11, 12, 13 and 14 are formed at their upper ends withlongitudinal slots 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a, respectively, the slotspreferably being at right angles to the adjacent or correspondingdiagnoal braces of the frame. Fitted in the slots 11a, 12a, 13a and 14ais a shade 24 which can take the form of an endless exible band formed,for example, of fabric or other suitable material. The shade 24 ismounted on the frame simply by slipping it into the slots of the legsfrom which it can be readily removed for purposes of cleaning orreplacement. Also, the shade being itself of simple, framelessconstruction, interchangeable shades can be readily fashioned by theowner.

The intermediate cross braces 18 and 19 support a shelf 25 which, asbest seen in Figure 3, is formed at its four corners with shallowrounded notches 26 to receive the legs, the edges of which arepreferably slightly rounded. So that the shelf 25 might rest squarely onthe superimposed braces 1S and 19, spacer blocks 27 and 28 can be aihxedeither to the lowermost brace 19 or to the underside of the shelf 25adjacent the slotted corners. It will be seen that when the shelf 25 isdropped into position with the four legs entering the four correspondingcorner slots the frame is fully stabilized against collapsing.Alternatively, one or several sets of cross braces can be releasablyclamped at their pivot points or the shade can be clamped in its slotsby pinching, with screw means for example, the slotted upper ends of theseveral legs together, all to hold the frame in position.

Referring now to Figure 4, with the shelf 2S removed and preferably withthe flexible shade 24 removed, the frame can be folded about the pivotpins 17, 26 and 23 into a relatively iiat unit for shipping or storing.In this connection, each of the pivot pins is preferably secured as bygluing to one of the cross braces, entering the complementary brace in asliding and freely turning fit.

The lamp is completed by means of a suitable light socket assembly 29supported by the brace 16 at its pivot point. The socket assembly 29preferably consists of a decorative exterior cup of wood, for example,housing an inner porcelain socket. The dowel or pin 17 can be used tomount the socket assembly 29 by passing loosely through the lower brace16 to be secured as by gluing to the brace 15 above and to the socketassembly below. This arrangement also serves to hold the entire frameagainst axial separation. The electric cord 30 is brought out along onebrace and then down the corresponding leg, such as the leg il, which canbe formed with holes 31 and 32through which the cord can be laced. Asuitable switch control, such as a pull chain, iinger switch or the likecan be provided at the socket assembly 29, or alternatively a switch canbe provided'on the cord at a point beneath the shade 2d or itcan bemounted on a leg.

If desired, the general frame structure of Figures 1 4 can be adapted asbest seen in Figure to form a combination lamp and table. To this endlegs 33 and 34, the only two of the total ot four which are visible inFigure 5, are shortened to table length and two sets of diagonal braces35, 3o and 37, 3S pivotally connected at their crossover points by pins39 and di), respectively, are provided near the top and the bottoni tocomplete the basic frame. As in the foregoing arrangement, the legs areslotted, as represented by longitudinalslots 33a and 34a, to receive aexiblecndless band type shade 41 needing no individual framework. Arigidsheet-like table top 42 of wood, translucent plastic, pressedboard, or the like, can be mounted above the upper set of braces 35, 36on the level, for example, of the top edge of the shade 4l as by dowelsupports d3 projecting inwardly from each of the four legs. he shape ofthe top 42 can be similar to that of the shelf .25ct Figures l and 3.Altternatively, the top ends of the legs can beutilized to upport anenlarged top (not shown) overhanging the egs.

The upper set of diagonal braces 35 and 35 of the frame carry anelectric light socket assembly 4S, similar tothe socket assembly 29of'Figure l, and the cord 46 of which is preferably brought out alongone of the braces and laced through holes 47 and 43 (in the leg 34). Asuitable switch control can be provided as a convenient location such ason one of the legs or on the free cord.

Under normal circumstances the top 42 which is removable for storage,shipment, cleaning and the like, will serve to stabilize the frameagainst inadvertent folding although if desired other suitable anchoringmeans can be provided similar to those described above having referenceto Figure l.

In order to block a possible line of sight view of the bare bulb betweenthe upper edge of shade 41 and the top 42 in the lamp of Figure 5, adepending iiange or strip 72a can be afixed to the underside of top 42inside the perimeter of shade and extending downwardly well below theupper edge of the shade. In the lamp of Figure 1, in the event it isdesired to block a possible `direct view of the bare bulb through 'dietop, a diduser member (not shown) which can take the form, for example,of a perforated or semi-transparent plate, can be supported by th'euppercross braces l5 and lo.

It will be understood that the lamp arrangement of all figures can beopened partially to create a generally elongated rectangular rather thanperfectly square shape. In such cases, the shade el should be slightlyshorter in its total length if it is to be pulled taut. ln general, itis possiblerto release the tension ou the shades, whether the ultimateconfiguration be square or elongated by partly folding the frame partstogether.

It will be understood that the shades, being readily removable,represent a useful device for carrying advertising or other legendsforpurposes of illuminated display. The lamp-table of Figure 5 isparticularly adapted for display purposes by utilizing the single lightsource both to illuminate from below a merchandise displaysupported onthe table and to illuminate explanatory words on the shade. Y

It will be understood, moreover, that certain details of the lamps canbe varied within the scope of the invention. The lamps can be formed,for example, of any one of several basic materials, such as, wood, metalor plastic and, if desired, horizontal or radial braces can be formedintegrally with the legs. Furthermore, the dimensions of the lamp ofFigure 5 can be reduced to form a lamp to rest on a table. The inventionshould not, therefore, be regarded as limited except as defined by thefollowing claims.

-I claim:

l. A collapsible, free standing lamp compri-sing a frame including aplurality of vertical legs normally arrayed about the central axis ofthe lamp, brace vmeans radiating outwardly from the central axis toengage the legs, said brace means including a plurality of verticallyspaced sets of cross-braces, each set including one brace crossing atleast one other brace on the axis of the lamp, pivot pin means on thecenter axis to mount the brace means and legs for relative swingingmovement about said axis, said pivot pin means joining crossed braces,whereby the frame can be folded into a attened shape, electric lightsocket means carried by the frame, said electric light socket meansbeing carriedjbeneath one .set of cross-braces, `said pivot pin meansfor the latter set of braces also supporting the socket assembly, thepivot pin means being aixed to both the uppermost brace and to thesocket assembly beneath, but passing freely through the intermediatebraces, whereby the collapsible frame is secured against axialVsepara-tion, means to hold the frame in its open position, complementaryshade mounting means on said vertical legs `surrounding said electriclight socket means and spaced laterally therefrom, and a shadecomprising a flexible band joined to said legs by said mounting means.

2. A lamp as set forth in claim l wherein the means to hold the frame inits open position comprises a shelf carried by one of said sets ofcross-braces, said shelf being formed with notches at its edges toreceive sa-id legs, whereby the shelf serves to hold the lamp frame iuits assembled operating position.

3. A collapsible, free-standing lamp comprising a plurality of at leastfour uprights normally arrayed about the central axis of the lamp, aplurality of vertically spaced sets of cross-braces joining theuprights, each set comprising a pair of diagonal braces each joining adifferent pair of diagonally opposed uprights, said braces intersectingat a cross-over point on the lamp axis, and a vertical axis pivotalconnection joining the braces at said point, whereby the frame can befolded into .a attenedshape, electric lamp socket means carried by atleast one set .of cross-braces, each of said uprights being formed atits upper end with an elongated vertical slot extending above and belowsaid socket, Aa shade in the form of an endless band of flexiblematerial received in the slots and stretched taut between 'the uprightswhen the lamp frame is opened, said uprghts being of substantially tableheight, a rigid sheet-like table surface supported by the uprights abovethe lamp socket means, and a depending flange on the underside of thetable surface circumscribing the area of the lamps socket and extendingdownwardly below the upper edge of the shade, thereby to block a directline of sight view to the socket between the table surface and theshade.

References Cited in the tile ofths'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 369,737Ray Sept. 13, 1887 1,120,024 Carney Dec. 8, 1914 1,998,519 Odenwald Apr.23, 1935` 2,092,690 Baldwin Sept. 7, .1937'

